Comic Christina P. ranks the best shows of Netflix Is a Joke fest. Hint: There are a lot of No. 1s
As a lifelong Angeleno until moving to Austin, Texas, in 2021, comedian Christina Pazsitzky is, “818 till I die just like Brody Stevens,” as she put it over the phone. She’s also a writer, co-host of the insanely popular podcast “Your Mom’s House,” a mother of two, and the wife to a bear (aka comedian Tom Segura). Pazsitzky seems to have it all. Well, other than a spell-able last name. So, Christina P. it is.
Her newest Netflix special, “Mom Genes,” debuts on May 8 and homegirl is bringing her A game just in time for L.A.’s massive Netflix Is a Joke festival starting this week. Animated, silly, dark — Christina P.’s jokes punch you in the face and it feels good. This sounds like a bit of an odd endorsement, but here we are.
Christina P. performs on May 3 at the Regent Theatre for the Netflix comedy fest, but admittedly, when it comes to watching other stand-ups do sets, it’s not at the top of her to-do list. “I don’t even watch my husband’s comedy and he’s like, a genius comedian,” she says. With a lineup like this Netflix festival though, even a seasoned vet like Christina was impressed while scrolling through the calendar. Here are this comedian’s top picks for the fest.
Christina P(icks): Netflix Is a Joke: The Festival
1. Obviously, No. 1, people should see me. Don’t you dare go to another show. Shows on other nights, I also love Fortune Feimster [April 30, Ace Hotel 7 p.m.], I love Jesus Trejo [May 2, the Peppermint Club, 7 p.m.], and Liza Treyger [May 3, Hollywood Improv (The Lab) 9:30] is amazing. I like anyone who is a truth teller. The older I get into comedy, the more I appreciate someone’s willingness to be silly, take chances and really swing for the joke. We’re entertainers! It’s time to get back to having a sense of humor.
1 (again?). You must go see Dave Chappelle [April 28-30, May 3, the Hollywood Bowl, 7 p.m.] if you can get in. He’s so important to comedy, to the world, and to stand-up. I think he’s got to be No. 1. Go see Dave Chappelle. What a hero. What a brave man, especially when he stood up because they wanted to cancel his Netflix special. He is important.
2. Sebastian Maniscalco [May 1, the Wiltern, 5 p.m.], I love. I remember seeing Sebastian at an open mic in Santa Monica 15 years ago and watching him do his “Ross Dress for Less” bit. It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen. I just have so much appreciation for him as well.
3 (kind of?). I love Patton Oswalt [May 7, the Orpheum, 7 p.m.], Melissa Villaseñor [April 29, Dynasty Typewriter 6 p.m.] is a genius impressionist — there are so many people on this lineup that are admirable. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin? [May 3, Hollywood Palladium 7 p.m.] Holy crap! Larry David [May 7, the Greek Theatre, 7:30 p.m.] is there? It would be cool to see him do stand-up, I’ve never seen that.
1 (again, again). Wait. Is Chris Rock performing? His name is right before me on the Netflix name list [shows TBA] and listen, if Chris Rock is performing, that’s the No. 1 show you want to see. I’ve had a bottle thrown at me, I’ve had glasses thrown at me — Chris Rock’s reaction was totally a veteran comedian who has been through it. Like, we’ve all had s— thrown at us. But that was wild. He’s gonna have some s— to say and I can’t wait to see it. OK, that’s the No. 1 show you see.
More to Read
The biggest entertainment stories
Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.